Grand Rapids ranks as No. 4 city for 'beer lovers' in US

Grand Rapids is considered one of the top cities in the nation for “beer lovers.”

Grand Rapids ranks No. 4 in the ranking of the “15 Best Cities for Beer Lovers” posted last week by the residential real estate brokerage Redfin.

Pittsburgh ranks No. 1.

Redfin’s ranking is based on multiple local and statewide factors:

Number of breweries in the state per 100,000 adults ages 21 and older

Number of active brewery permits in each state

State beer taxes

Median home sale price

Walk score

The majority of the cities in the ranking are “Rust Belt cities powered by their relative affordability, low tax on beer and plenitude of breweries,” the post says.

Grand Rapids

“Often referred to as Beer City, Grand Rapids has a strong tradition of brewing,” Redfin real estate agent Kent Selders says in the post. “Founders Brewery is perhaps the most well-known across the country, but we also have HopCat, voted the best brewpub in the country.

“We have places like Brewery Vivant, the first LEED-certified microbrewery, Harmony Brewing, B.O.B.’s Brewery — the list goes on and on. It’s a true beer-lover’s paradise.”

Michigan has four breweries per 100,000 adults and 291 active brewery permits.

The state beer tax is 20 cents per gallon.

Grand Rapids has a walk score of 61 and a median home sale price of $190,000.

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